Michael T. Ricks, Sr. (WARNING!)

In 2002, Michael T. Ricks Sr. of Gemini Body Works put up a site attacking me for stating that he is promoting a questionable hair removal device called the Super-Phaser Gold by Rejuvenu:

http://www.truehairfacts.com/the_truth_about_andrea_james.htm

I reported his activities to the Colorado Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau, and the FDA. Rejuvenu listed him as a “medical consultant” on their site.

In 2004, Ricks was arrested on 31 counts of criminal impersonation and sexual assault. He was convicted of felony sexual assault and was sentenced to 20 years to life in 2005.

Below is the original information I put up about Ricks in 2002. Had the Colorado Attorney General stepped in to shut him down, these assaults on his clients may have been averted.

Original 2002 expose

I gave my response to personal attacks previously, but he has recently made an attempt to refute my statements. His incoherent response rambles through the sorts of misdirections favored by quacks, in order to avoid the facts at hand. He seems to think the facts I present are “judgments,” not statements. Facts are facts, however, so let’s look at the facts.

As you can see in the photo above, Michael T. Ricks, Sr. is engaging in not one, but two violations of federal regulations in treating this consumer: using the transdermal cotton-tipped applicator probes and the so-called hands-free transcutaneous methods.

There are no published clinical papers showing the Super-Phaser Gold can achieve permanent hair removal

Legitimate methods of hair removal are subjected to scientific scrutiny under controlled clinical conditions. The results are then published in reputable medical journals. Quacks avoid this because they fear their products will fail under scientific scrutiny. Instead, they write up pseudo-scientific unpublished reports which they use for promotional materials.

Showing the typical arrogance of a quack, Michael T. Ricks has decided the Rejuvenu unpublished reports are good enough for him:

“I happen to believe that the studies are adequate to prove Rejuvenu’s claims.”

Well, if it’s good enough for Michael T. Ricks, I guess the FDA and the entire field of scientific inquiry must be wrong. “Dr.” Ricks continues:

“I really do not care what any study says… Why do I need more extensive research from the company, or third party individuals?”

This shows how difficult it is to deal with people like this. Quacks often think they are special or smarter than everyone else. As QuackWatch says, “Some strong-willed people believe they are better equipped than scientific researchers and other experts to tell whether a method works.”

No matter what Michael T. Ricks has decided on his own, there remians no published clinical data to back up his opinion. And that’s a fact.

Fact 3:

FDA has determined that Rejuvenu needs to submit data for their electric Q-Tips and patches

Once again, Michael T. Ricks Sr. shows that

“The argument that Rejuvenu presents in their last letter to the FDA is compelling to me”

Well, it wasn’t compelling to FDA, who told Rejuvenu the following FDA response:

In 1995, you submitted a 510(k)955584 for the AHRS Surface Electrolysis System, a modified “Patch” epilator device that you apparently believed was a modification requiring a new 510(k) and FDA clearance.

Absent FDA clearance, you have chosen to market this device, and include claims that imply FDA clearance or approval. It appears that you have made a decision independent of regulatory review that your devices are equivalent to the cleared device.

I have published ALL of the letters between FDA and Rejuvenu available through Freedom of Information. That’s more than I can say for Michael T. Ricks, who only puts up the letters that support his erroneous conclusions.
This is not an “ongoing debate,” as Michael T. Ricks tries to characterize it. According to FDA, the debate is over, and Rejuvenu must submit a new 510(k).

Conclusion

Until Rejuvenu provides some legitimate scientific proof, the Super Phaser Gold is definitely one to avoid.

I’ve been dealing with guys like Michael T. Ricks for many years, and they are a very stubborn lot who can’t be bothered with things like facts and science. They believe what they want to believe, and no one will convince them otherwise.

Since he claims to be a non-practicing psychologist, maybe Michael T. Ricks, Sr. should see what real psychologists have to say about people like him:

“When people are incompetent in the strategies they adopt to achieve success and satisfaction, they suffer a dual burden: Not only do they reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them of the ability to realize it.”

If you have lost money to Michael T. Ricks, please contact me, and I’ll be happy to help you sue him in small claims court. I have already helped consumers recoup thousands of dollars.